Farmworkers

Farmworkers are essential workers in our food system who perform the labor-intensive tasks of planting, cultivating, and harvesting crops and tending to livestock. This population comprises seasonal, full-time, and part-time laborers working in agricultural settings; they collectively, produce society’s food. Farmworkers face significant health disparities, including pesticide exposure, dangerous working conditions, lack of access to healthcare, and poor living conditions. Addressing these issues can improve health outcomes for farmworkers and their families, and lead to more just and sustainable agriculture and food systems. 

Farm work in the U.S. has a legacy of labor exploitation and unsafe working conditions. Economic pressure to keep labor costs low incentivizes low wages and under-investment in workplace conditions. The Fair Labor Standards Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and other federal, state, and local policies provide certain, albeit insufficient, protections for farmworkers. As prime example, federal policies often fail to fully protect farmworkers due to exemptions that exclude many agricultural workers from overtime pay and certain health and safety provisions. Enforcement of existing laws is often insufficient, and many farmworkers—particularly undocumented immigrants—face barriers to reporting abuses and accessing legal remedies. This combination of limited coverage and weak enforcement leaves many farmworkers vulnerable to exploitation and hazardous working conditions.

Fair wages, safe working conditions, access to healthcare and legal protections, and the inclusion of farmworkers' voices in policy discussions can help advance health equity for farm workers. Addressing systemic barriers is also crucial. Through systems change efforts, like expanding health and safety protections under the law, providing healthcare insurance, and reducing pesticide use, we can improve farmworker health. Addressing systemic barriers such as discrimination, lack of labor protection, and resource support is important. Changemakers can advance farmworker well-being by advocating for comprehensive immigration reform, pushing for labor law reforms that include farmworkers, supporting unionization efforts, and promoting fair trade and ethical sourcing practices. Forming coalitions with farmworker organizations and unions can support farmworker health and justice.